Marquette Mentors Newsletter December 2020 January Virtual Retreat debut offers special learning and networking opportunities Join mentors, mentees, mentee alumni and campus partners from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, Jan. 14, for the first Marquette Mentors Virtual Retreat. Interactive sessions will cover a variety of professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities in small group and panel discussions for mentors to share their experiences as well as learn from mentees and campus partners. Registration, which includes a menu for participants to select their own topics of interest, is available through Jan. 7 for mentees, mentee alumni and mentors and campus partners. “The virtual retreat is a direct result of mentors and mentees expressing an interest in connecting during break to learn from each other while also expanding their network,” says Dan DeWeerdt, senior director of Marquette Mentors. “In light of the limited in-person interaction due to the pandemic, the gathering promises to provide meaningful sessions and connections with participants nationwide and even England.”  Along with small group discussions, all-group sessions include: "T is for Teamwork” with mentor and actor Pat Finn, Comm ’87 (Second City Theater, “The George Wendt Show,” “The Middle,” “Friends,” “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”). Pat will share practical teamwork advice along with his entertaining Marquette and acting stories, including days with his friend and Marquette Rugby teammate, actor Chris Farley.   “How it all began: The creation and evolution of Marquette Mentors” with program visionaries Joel Andryc, Sp ’79 (left), managing director, Private Equity, Saban Capital Group; Los Angeles and Rondell Sheridan, Sp ’80, (right), comedian, director, photographer and actor, including as Chef Victor, the lovable dad on Disney’s “That’s So Raven.” Register today for the retreat and prepare with advance session questions and participants you'd like to meet. Please contact Dan DeWeerdt with questions. We Are Marquette!   Mentor-in-Residence offers insights for coming months Mentor in Residence Kim Eck, Comm ’13 is mentoring her seventh Marquette student in this year's program (shown above with previous mentees Austin Lemke, Comm ’16, and Jenna Doherty, Comm ’17, at the 2017 mentor finale). She offers these mentor-mentee suggestions to complete by the end of December and stay on track during break. - Review your original goals with your mentor. Sometimes as the semester progresses, you may have fallen off the path a bit. Get back on it so you can be sure to achieve what's important. -  Mentees, have a discussion with your mentor about contacting two-three other mentors to help build your network. As a mentor, I can't imagine ignoring an email from another mentee or mentor who may be seeking information or insights. Scan the bios in the mentor online directory and find someone whose story interests you. The Marquette connection is always a strong one. - While on break, mentees may want to think of trying a new hobby or something directed towards personal wellness. You'll be a better student when classes begin if you give yourself some time off. Nursing mentees and mentors take initiative with ongoing group discussion At the October Marquette Mentors kickoff, it occurred to this year's cohort of Nursing mentors and mentees that this mighty group would find value in continuing their meaningful dialogue related to the industry and career discernment.   Led by mentors Ann Ford, Nurs ’83 and partner at Hall Prangle & Schoonveld, LLC in Chicago, and Eva Zunich, Nurs ’85 and board member at Lifeline Org. in Chicago and healthcare liaison at HRH Royal Crown Princess Katherine Foundation in Avon Lake, Ohio. More than a dozen Nursing alumni mentors and student mentees gathered December 3 for their own virtual meeting outside of Marquette Mentors, marking an unprecedented initiative for a group of participants to gather on their own to network, grow and learn. “The mentees were prepared with excellent and insightful questions, while mentors shared valuable professional and personal life experiences, too,” says Ann. A variety of topics were covered, according to Eva, ranging from the best path to leadership with a Marquette Nursing education and interview preparation to learning more about one's passion toward pediatrics and five ways to network throughout a career. The outcomes of the first meeting signaled collective interest by all participants to schedule future conversations. The group already discussed a name for these extended networking sessions, too. Marquette Mentors salutes Nursing mentors, mentees and College of Nursing faculty for their initiative. As Ann and Eva enthusiastically shared, “Go, Marquette nurses!” New "Five Questions With..." interview series provides exclusive mentor access Despite the pandemic and limiting in-person meetings, Marquette Mentors is committed to engaging mentees and mentee alumni with mentors in new and innovative ways. The program debuted a virtual “Five Questions With…” interview series on December 15. The bi-weekly series features one mentor with a maximum of 10 mentees and mentee alumni to encourage dialogue. The program premiered with four-time mentor Bob Kohl, Comm ’89 and senior director of the National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators. “The 'Five Questions With…' series with Bob was incredibly beneficial to speak with a professional in an intimate setting discussing big topics,” says mentee alumna Lisa Roman, Comm ’17 (mentor Jen Lada, Comm ’02, ESPN). “He shared his career path, tips to break into the industry and an opportunity to ask our own questions.” “Five Questions With…” will be featured bi-weekly with the next session on January 11. Upcoming featured mentors will be announced soon via email and the Marquette Mentors LinkedIn group page.   Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Marquette Mentors Marquette Mentors wishes you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Be sure to bookmark the Marquette's new digital Advent Calendar, too, offering many special surprises. In the News Liam Brownlow, Communication mentee, has been named a 2021 online content management Intern at the Buchanan Group in Belvidere, Ill. (Mentor Chris Devine, Comm ’94, Cisco Systems; Southfield, Mich.)   Belton Flournoy, Bus Ad ’03, has been recognized as one of the top 10 inspirational leaders by the British LGBT awards. He serves as director at Protiviti in London and participating for the first year in Marquette Mentors, marking the program's first mentor in the United Kingdom. (Arts and Sciences mentee Samuel Johnson)   Mentee alumna Jenny Fisher, Comm ’19, was named a Difference Maker by Marquette University President Michael Lovell. As a student she advocated for speaking openly about and eliminating any stigma around mental health. She contributed to the Marquette Wire’s Breaking the Silence series, in which she shared her personal story of losing her mother and grandfather to suicide. Recently, she started a fundraising and awareness campaign for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Her video shows how we can all make a difference through connecting with others. (Mentor Sophia Minnaert, Comm ’07, Milwaukee Brewers) George Jonas, Eng ’93, has been named chief IP counsel at Resideo in Minneapolis. He's serving for the first year in Marquette Mentors. (Engineering Mentee Eamonn Howerter)   Allison Mihm, Business Administration mentee, will be serving as as a summer 2021 product development intern in the Kohl's marketing department. (Mentor Tim Shaw, Bus Ad ’92, Dell; Austin, Texas) Holden Peterson, Business Administration mentee, has received an internship in private wealth management for AYCO, a Goldman Sachs company, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Mentor Carol Tillis, Bus Ad ’85, Personalis, Inc.; Menlo Park, Calif.)     Olivia Ward, Nursing mentee, has accepted a Nurse Extern position at Froedtert Hospital to meet the growing needs of patients due to the Coronavirus pandemic. She will be working with nursing staff and gaining additional experience on the GI/Internal Medicine floor. (Mentor Jody Elliott, Nurs ’93, Froedtert Cancer Center; Milwaukee) Share your new job, promotion, award or volunter role In the News. Send a one-sentence description with a headshot (no selfies, please) to Dan DeWeerdt.